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Episode 2

Episode 2 of 3

A team of canine experts reveal the innermost secrets of man's best friend. In this episode they explore how senses and abilities differ across the huge range of modern dog breeds.

Kate, Steve and the team of canine experts explore how the huge range of dog breeds differ in their senses and abilities. Does a short nose impede a sense of smell? Do floppy ears mean subdued hearing? And what effect does the shape of a skull have on peripheral vision?

The team examines how humans have harnessed these inherent skills and discovers how this has shaped these breeds into the hunters, herders and guard dogs of today. They also see the senses develop in a litter of newborn puppies, and follow Kate's Welsh Sheepdog puppy Teg getting her first lesson in sheep herding.

Ruth Goodman is joined by a pembrokeshire welsh corgi as she traces the breed's history to their humble origins as cattle herders. The team also finds out how hunting breeds such as springers, pointers and retrievers evolved with the development of gun technology.

Over the centuries dogs have demonstrated that they are highly intelligent animals capable of helping humans with many different tasks. But just how intelligent are they? Can a dog be taught to read? The team finds out when they put three dogs to the test.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 10 Jun 2015 19:00

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kate Humble
Presenter Steve Leonard
Executive Producer Leesa Rumley
Series Producer Jamie Lochead
Director Jamie Lochead
Presenter Ruth Goodman

Broadcasts

Visit The Wonder of Dogs on OU's OpenLearn website

Discover more about genetics and the changing roles of dogs in our everyday lives